Nepal

COHI made its first trip to Nepal in 2004 to train midwives in the region, and since then, we have had a deep network of allies in Nepal and India. These strong relationships helped COHI to respond to the major earthquakes that destroyed cultural sites, health centers, homes, and roadways in April and May of 2015. We conducted a rapid health needs assessment to help plan our earthquake response.

We were able to provide $45,000 of menstrual health-related supplies, food, shelter, and medicines in the first phase of our response. We partnered with Resilient Homes Nepal and provided $10,000 in funding to help women-headed households to rebuild their damaged homes. We joined hands with our partners at YPEER Nepal and supported their peer-to-peer trainings on sexual reproductive health, menstrual health, and water/sanitation training. Additionally, we partnered with LOOM Nepal, who distributed maternal health kits and newborn kits, and conducted menstrual and sexual reproductive health training as well.

We also conducted a needs and health assessment of the women in Nepal's Women's Prison, which was partially damaged by the earthquakes. This was the first-ever needs assessment allowed by the Nepali government for this unique and vulnerable population.